Or the Hawk 'n' Dove tavern employee who says Kennedy "was drinking," and the adjoining Tune Inn tavern bartender who says Kennedy was in the Hawk 'n' Dove that night?

And the Capitol police who say they spotted Kennedy’s Mustang swerving with its lights off, his car narrowly missed a police cruiser before slamming into a security barricade, and when Kennedy exited the vehicle he was observed to be staggering?

And what do you think about the police brass who intervened and blocked attempts to give Kennedy sobriety tests?

And in researching for this post, I found that Kennedy was involved in a March 26, 2000 incident where "a videotape capture[d] Kennedy pushing a 58-year-old airport security guard backward and bumping the metal detector archway at Los Angeles International Airport. The catalyst apparently was that his luggage was too big for carry-on and he was disturbed the guard did not recognize him." A fine example for Cynthia McKinney!

I do believe certain families have a problem with the booze. Call in genetic. Perhaps they lack an enzyme that is necessary to properly metabolize alcohol. But then again it is true that people with this addiction seem to be prone to other addictions as well.

My mother had this kind of a problem. I do not find it remotely funny. She was nervous when my high school graduation came around and so she took a little something to help her out.

That has been over 30 years ago and I can still remember how it felt to see my mother stagger. Not funny. Not funny at all.

Statement for attribution to Glynn R. Birch, National President,Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD):

On May 4, 2006 , U.S. Representative Patrick Kennedy was involved in a traffic crash outside the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington , DC . Fortunately, neither Congressman Kennedy, police officers nor others were hurt in the crash.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) supports the United States Capitol Police Department’s decision to thoroughly review this incident and examine the Department’s current procedures concerning crashes where impairment due to alcohol or drug use is suspected. We have great faith that the investigation will clarify the facts and determine appropriate outcomes of this situation. http://www.madd.org/news/10842

Terrye,These people aren't just drinking as a pick me up,this is a hard drinking macho culture,they get away with it because nobody stops them,life is just on long football match and Saturday night in the bar.The whole clan is out of control.Patrick is said to have been in rehab over Christmas,a commenter at KOS